Condition of former Israeli PM Sharon worsens

Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon was rushed to the intensive care unit of a Tel Aviv hospital today to undergo a form of dialysis, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Sharon’s condition had deteriorated significantly earlier in the week. He has been in a coma since suffering a massive stroke on January 4.

Sharon’s blood will be filtered to remove excess fluids that have been accumulating in his body, Shiba Hospital said in a statement.

He is also receiving antibiotics intravenously to treat a bacterial infection in his blood.

Hospital spokesman Anat Golev declined to answer further questions.